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Anyone know how extensive of a crowd this event attracts? I planned to drive from Waimea to the Kona airport and go to Maui for an over night visit this weekend. I fly out on Saturday morning around 10:30. Hmmm, I suspect, I will have to allow LOTS of hours not just 45 min to drive to the airport to catch my flight. Any comments?

There are several topics on this that you can find if you put Ironman into the search topic (one level up).

Google Ironman 2012 road closures and you'll find the official page with the very complex system. Not going into town it's not too bad.

You will have to drive over Hwy 190, down Kai'iminani (Kona Palisades) to the light there, then jog north to the Airport Road. That is actually one of the most direct routes from Waimea, if not the most. It's the folks staying at the resorts who have to head up the hill and go around.

You will be allowed on the actual highway at interval times, not whenever you want, maybe 15 min, maybe 30 ...

I don't know if the traffic will be heavy for the race, I suspect not. But all commercial traffic will route on the upper highway, so expect it to be busy. This is Saturday only. Have fun!

Allow 90 min at the airport not counting your rental return, and make sure you print your boarding pass in advance if you can ...

The upper road (190) is generally faster when driving from Waimea into town or to the airport anyway, but will be the only way to go on Saturday. As KK says, allow plenty of time! The timing is unfortunate because that time of day is when the largest numbers of bicyclists are going to be right around the airport, so you may have a long wait. Any chance you can move that flight?

It looks as if I could manage to avoid some traffic if I leave here by 7am and get to the airport/Kona area by 8am, taking the upper highway, crossing over at Kai'iminani to 19 to then go to the airport from there....I don't know if I'm capable of leaving that early, ha, ha! But, I can do it, if need be! I hope the airport has free wi-fi!

Yes, you'll have to plan very carefully to make a successful departure that day - and no, the Keahole Kona Airport does not have any kind of wi-fi, free or otherwise. Not even in the Hawaiian Air premier lounge.

Well, since I had a busy day at work + a few extra hours....and probably the same tomorrow....not sure how I'll get away.....maybe get out even earlier? I can bring lots of books to read, no worries, thanks for the posts....if anyone wants to know, I'll post what happens.

FYI, I made it to the airport in 45 min after leaving at 6:15am. Some coworkers told me they were hoping 4 hrs was enough time to get down the upper hwy by 10 am to volunteer at Ironman, so I took everyone's (including TA) advice and left crazy early.